Essay: The Growing Battle of the Books

Written words running loose have always presented a challenge to people
bent on ruling others. In times past, religious zealots burned
heretical ideas and heretics with impartiality. Modern tyrannies
promote the contentment and obedience of their subjects by ruthlessly
keeping troubling ideas out of their books and minds. Censorship can
place people in bondage more efficiently than chains.

Thanks to the First Amendment, the U.S. has been remarkably, if not
entirely, free of such official monitoring. Still, the nation has
always had more than it needs of voluntary censors, vigilantes eager to
protect...